Six legislators, most of them from Congress and locally known as "green" MLAs, welcomed the enterprise but said it should not be at the cost of precious natural wealth of Kerala.
"It is a very positive attempt to bring in projects aimed at the state's overall development and economic progress.... At the same time, when we try for new investment and business initiatives it is imperative that certain precautions are taken, certain checks and balances are in place...", they said in a post on the blog Greenthought Kerala.
The group comprised V D Satheesan, T N Pratapan, V T Balaram and Hybie Edan (all Cong), M V Shreyams Kumar (SJD) and K M Shaji (IUML).
They wanted the state government to ensure that no harm would be done to the bio-diversity of Kerala, environment and natural wealth.
The legislators also asked the government to ensure that all land transactions for projects should be transparent and the Land Reforms Act of 1980 and regulations aimed at safeguarding the rights of indigenous people like tribals be protected.
The fears expressed by the MLAs, however, were rejected as unfounded by several ministers in the Oommen Chandy cabinet.
"We are not going to clear any project that would harm the environment. Kerala's biggest asset is its greenery. Who is going to do any harm to it?" Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty said.
Projected as a big ticket enterprise by the UDF Government, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to open the three-day event at Kochi on September 12. (MORE)
